Decorative paints and coatings environmental policy and consumer guide
Decorative paints and coatings environmental policy and consumer guide
Keywords BCF,Coatings, Paints, Publication
The British Coatings Federation which represents the UK's major paints and coatings manufacturers recently issued a new and far reaching Decorative Coatings Environmental Policy and an explanatory Consumer Guide.
Coatings perform a positive environmental function in protecting and decorating surfaces and this policy is aimed at reducing the environmental impact which such coatings may have during production, application or disposal. The main effects associated with coatings are emission of volatile organic compounds during application and disposal of surplus materials.
Moira McMillan BCF director says: "The introduction of this policy illustrates manufacturers commitment to protecting the environment". The policy aims to do this specifically by:
limiting the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in decorative paints and coatings and reducing these limits over the coming years. This will be achieved by introducing new and alternative products with lower VOC levels and by introducing a labelling system to inform consumers of the VOC content of each product;
helping to minimise waste by providing the consumer with advice on purchasing the correct quantities and on re-use and disposal.
A concise explanation of VOCs, their effect on the environment and the product labelling scheme is given in the accompanying Consumer Guide.
"We are pleased to have worked with the major retailers during the development of this policy says Moira McMillan and we pay particular tribute to the earlier initiative taken by B&Q on their labelling scheme and their success in making this consistent with the coatings industry's VOC reduction plan".
Further information is available from the BCF director, Moira McMillan, James House, Bridge Street,Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7EP. Tel: 01372 360660; Fax: 01372 376069; E-mail moira@bcfoffice.demon.co.uk.
